Watch out for nesting birds
We're incredibly fortunate to share Waikawa Beach with an extraordinary variety of resident and migratory birdlife. Depending on the season, visitors may spot Caspian Terns, Dotterels, Godwits, Oystercatchers, Pied Stilts and many other species enjoying our unique coastal environment alongside the familiar seagulls. However, these birds also have to share this special place with us humans, and that can sometimes be challenging.
Many of our coastal birds nest in the open — on the sand, amongst driftwood, within the dunes, around the estuary and on the dry sand of the beach itself. These exposed nesting sites provide excellent camouflage and allow the birds to keep a close watch for predators and other threats while reducing the risk of ambush. As the images here show, these "nests" are often little more than shallow scrapes in the sand rather than the well-defined nests we associate with birds nesting in trees, making them remarkably difficult to spot.
Nests are often out in the open and are usually protected by a parent
Nests don't look like nest at all and can be difficult to spot
We regularly monitor the estuary, beach and dune areas for nests and eggs and maintain a map of nesting locations that have been identified. These locations are not permanent and change from season to season as weather patterns shift and birds select new nesting sites.
The map helps beach users better understand how vulnerable these areas can be and what to look out for when enjoying the coast.
A map of nest locations recorded during the most recent breeding season. Click on the map or go to Waikawa Beach bird nesting locations to see nest info and descriptions of boundary lines shown.
Because these nests are so difficult to see, they are particularly vulnerable to accidental disturbance or destruction. Dogs, horses, walkers, four-wheel drives, quad bikes and motorcycles all share these same spaces, and it can take only a moment for a nest to be damaged without anyone even realising it was there. This is especially true in areas of dry sand, around driftwood and near the estuary margins where many birds choose to nest.
Please keep a look out for signs of nesting birdlife while using the beach
We ask everyone to take extra care when travelling through these areas and, where possible, to avoid driving or riding through areas known to support nesting birds during the breeding season. A small change in route or behaviour can make an enormous difference to the success of these vulnerable populations.
One of the most obvious behaviours you may notice is birds swooping or calling loudly when someone gets too close to a nest. While this can be unsettling for some people, and naturally attracts the curiosity of dogs, the birds are simply trying to warn us that we are in their nesting area and are doing everything they can to protect the next generation.
Photos and map provided by Stephen Betts